“A New Jersey Favorite Hangs his Racing Shoes” Joey P. Lands with ReRun Inc. By: Tatiana Verenicin- Chan (ReRun Inc.) “I want to fly like an eagle… To the sea…Fly like an eagle…Let my spirit carry me…I want to fly like an eagle… Till I'm free… Oh, Lord, through the revolution..”.(Steve Miller and Steve Miller Band--Album Fly Like an Eagle. January 1977.) He was free on the track for nine years. Nine years, unheard of for most racehorses. Free to run and win; do what he was born to do, because he knew he could do it. Just ask those who spent any time with this Thoroughbred. Joey P, a Jersey bred, flew with spirit through the demanding industry of horse racing. Starting Gate: Dreamlike Success. He stands a stately tall 17 +hands. He is a russet dark bay gelding, with jet black mane and forelock, engrossing deep black eyes, who commands attention and why not? He has been receiving it since he set foot on shavings and grass. His tale began March 22, 2002 with two families; his genetic family, Close Up (Sire), and Lucky Lipco (Dam), and his racing family; An extensive list of individuals; John Petrini (breeder/owner), Frank Costa and later Ben Perkins Jr./Chris Gardiner (trainers), groomer, and Joe Bravo, Chuck Lopez, Pablo Fragoso, (predominant jockeys) . Joey P. stayed grounded with most of this group for nearly 10 years; atypical in horse racing circles. His first real brush with humans was Petrini who named him after his eighth grandson. Petrini pauses, “So much has been written. Let me see, a story. Yes, I remember this one time in Vineland, New Jersey, there was this mare he liked and suddenly she and Joey P. are gone. Just gone. They are running down the highway…nowhere to be seen. Two hours later, he was back where he came from… Another time there was this lady. It was in February, before Joey was born. She would come by every night and just sit outside on a lounge chair staring at the barn. Waiting. Nine to ten babies were born that year but none like Joey P.” As Joey P. matured, his path to racing glory developed. Initial trainer Frank Costa (2011 Buddy Raines Award Winner) unleashed the Joey P. magic. During their first four years, Costa and Joey P. made headlines and earned nearly half a million dollars. A Costa colleague reminisces, “Frank and Joey won their first five races. He did a great job with him, it was pretty amazing.” In early 2006 and with a national racing campaign on his mind, Petrini changed strategy and approached Perkins Jr. The goal was to see how Joey P. would do outside of New Jersey, trying Florida and other states. Joey P. did not disappoint. He transcended Jersey bred racing boundaries, winning The Charles Town Dash Invitational (WV) and Gulfstream (FL). Petrini states, “He was and is the best New Jersey sprinter ever...such a classy horse. He got cranky as he got older but had his regalness, though he comes from ‘soft pedigree.’” He chuckles, “Joey always wanted his own space, a tough guy. You wanted to greet him, you had to earn his respect or no way would he acknowledge you…“Ahhh…there was this one jock who rode against Joey P. many times. His horse is running and catching up. Joey P. is winning. Jock decides to try and squeeze Joey on the rail. Instead he takes his horse into open area where Joey P. got a shot to look at ‘em and as the jock explains it, Joey P. grabbed the bit and took off…that jock almost had him beat.” That was the problem. Almost having him beat, rarely worked when running against Joey P. If other jockeys and their mounts wanted to win, they had to be perfect and more calculating. Joey P.’s career continued to boom under Perkins Jr. and, Assistant Trainer, Chris Gardiner (earnings of over half a million dollars). Gardiner recalls… “What a tremendous athlete. He was the biggest horse in the barn. Seventeen plus hands of agility and quick on his feet. So balanced for his size. Most racing careers last three years…Joey’s nine. I guess you could call him a ‘freak of nature’. A once in life time horse…a six furlong horse and never a better New Jersey bred…He was the Iron Horse of our barn…the Iron Horse.” Perkins Jr. and Gardiner agree, “He was one of our favorites…not replaceable…not ever… period.” Joey P.’s track intimidation was in no small part due to the talents of Joe Bravo, coincidentally, ‘Joey’ to some. His agent, Mr. Nied, explains, “Joe loved that horse….Bravo was on him 80-90% of the time…what an iron horse…just amazing.” Bravo and Joey P. partnered for 28 rides and 13 wins. Bravo exclaims, “Joey P.….oh maaannnn… Joey P… awesome horse. He had the best personality ever. I will never forget him…made me mad once (chuckling)…so strong…one time just exercising him, kept getting faster…I was trying to slow him down you know…we weren’t in a race…couldn’t do it …can you believe it. He pulled my back out…..Joey P.. Man…I just loved that horse. He loved the run. Loved the run.” With as much adulation as Bravo’s recollection of Joey P., Chuck Lopez , three time rider of Joey P., shares, “ Bravo rode him the most…First time I saw them was at Aqueduct. They won, of course. I always watched Bravo and Joey P.. Always wanted a chance to ride him... I got a shot at this one race. ..got the mount….I was standing next to Joey P. and couldn’t believe it…So big…he was massive. I thought to myself this one is not like any other New Jersey bred. He meant business…ALWAYS wanted the wire.” What added to Joey P.’s peculiar success was his lack of superior bloodlines, or “soft” pedigree. Mom and dad were not exceptional racers but they produced a “special” foal. Joey P.’s great-grandfather may have had something to say about “soft” pedigree. Seattle Slew, 1977 Triple Crown winner would be proud. Home Stretch: Earned Tranquility. Joey P. has retired. His racing days, a brilliant piece of history and storybook material, are over. Perkins Jr. summed it up, "If he wasn’t able to compete, he wouldn't run anymore." The truth is he still runs. But free of pressures. His home is now with ReRun Inc. He resides in the tranquility of Hill Haven Farm (Eileen Munyak). Munyak shares, “Joey P. is the star…I love horses and try to be there when they need some help. Joey P. is the star from birth to retirement.” Joey P. made it through the horse racing revolution and can just be. As a volunteer for ReRun I have the privilege of spending some time with Joey P.. Each time we do breakfast I am in awe; speechless. He knows his stall. He owns his paddock. He is huge, brawny, confident; yet temperate. He listens to and watches everything around him. He knows his power but does not flaunt it. It was not long ago that he left others in the dust. He marches to his own beat. He knows who he is and what he has done. He knows it. We all know it. And no one will ever forget it. Joey P. has found his peace and ReRun Inc. will safeguard it forever. Joey P. has landed. Joey P. (G3) compiled a career record of 18-9-1 in 44 starts, with earnings of $1,063,667. He has at least one win in every one of his eight seasons of racing, and has never competed in anything less than stakes/ allowance company. ReRun Inc. was founded in 1996 in Kentucky as a nonprofit501(c)(3) Thoroughbred rehabilitation and adoption program. On average, 30,000 Thoroughbreds are born annually to owners and breeders whose hope is to raise a champion. And every year thousands of Thoroughbreds are retired from the track to face an unknown fate. In the last 15 years ReRun has found homes and sponsors for over 500 OTTBs. ReRun takes in horses off the racetracks throughout the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast regions, and serves as the on-site aftercare program for Monmouth Park Racetrack (NJ). With contracts and close monitoring, ReRun knows its adoptees are in good loving homes. Whatever you are searching for in a retired Thoroughbred, ReRun will find the perfect match. ReRun maintains chapters in Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. SAVE THE DATE- September 15, 2012: “Monmouth Park- New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival- Joey P. Retirement Gala Event” Joey P. retired in 2011 but his final send off is scheduled for September 15, 2012. Monmouth Park and ReRun Inc. invite all Joey P. and racing fans to this exciting day. Give Joey P. his final send off and cheer for your favorite Thoroughbred! For further information please visit www.rerun.org or contact [email protected] 732-521-1370 .